Single try sinks Crusaders

Celtic Crusaders offered stout resistance against St Helens at Brewery Field but a second-half try from Tom Armstrong allowed the visitors to break the deadlock and claim a 4-0 victory.

Saints had a point to prove after their shock home defeat against Hull KR eight days ago, while the Crusaders were still searching for the first win of their maiden Super League season.

Their prospects were hit with the loss of influential half-back and captain Jace van Dijk and top try-scorer Tony Duggan, both through injury.

Mick Potter's side immediately placed the newcomers under pressure; however, stubborn defence from the Crusaders set the tone for the evening.

After soaking up the Saints' best efforts coming forward, the Crusaders almost got the opening try of the match when loose forward Peter Lupton was put over just a yard from the line.

Unfortunately for the Welsh side, however, he had knocked on in the act of touching down.

Gusto

The Crusaders defended with gusto, although Maurie Fa'asavalu went over for Saints before referee Phil Bentham declared that the ball had not been grounded.

As they had against Leeds and Hull in previous weeks, the Crusaders were holding one of the Super League giants in a half of rugby which finished point-less.

Their defence was eventually breached just before the hour when Armstrong just managed to ground the ball in the left corner.

The wing could have had another but, sprinting towards the Crusaders' line, he was halted by a stunning tackle from stand-off Damien Quinn.

Quinn's intervention summed up their strength, although the scoreline was helped rather by Saints' propensity to drop too many balls and venture up too many blind alleys.

Last year's Challenge Cup winners also thought they had scored a try through a Sean Long grubber kick but that was also knocked on.

Bryn Hargreaves then dropped the ball right on the hooter when scoring a try for Saints appeared the easier task.

Indeed, such was the rearguard performance from the home side that the visiting fans cheered the Welsh outfit off the pitch at the end.